Your instrument can be top of the line, custom built, and beautiful, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s not going to sound its best without a great set of strings. Quality sets of Latin instrument strings are an absolute must-have for any gig bag. When purchasing Latin instrument strings, there are a number of things to keep in mind. First and foremost, you want to make sure you’re purchasing the right strings for your instrument. It can be easy to confuse a Bajo Quinto with a Bajo Sexto. Both are similar, but a Bajo Quinto is 10-stringed, while the Bajo Sexto is generally 12-stringed. Getting the proper strings for the instrument you play will go a long way in making it sound its best. You should also be aware of whether or not you need an entire set of strings, or just an individual one. While it’s important to consistently swap out your strings, you may notice one pair or single string in particular breaking more than others. If this is the case you’ll want to look into the single string and string pair options available to you. Having individual strings on hand as a backup can be invaluable, especially if you happen to break a string in the middle of a performance. Once you make sure you’re getting the proper strings for your instrument, it really comes down to personal preference. You may love the â€œtrue brassâ€ outer wrap of a Dean Marley string, or the phosphor bronze round wound style of D'Addario may offer more of the sound you are after. Different strings can produce different results, so there’s really no harm in experimenting with different types to find the ones that work best for you. When you find the perfect pairing, stock up and be sure that you’ll always be ready to perform your favorite songs.